BROADCASTER Sky Sports would not be drawn yesterday on the future of Welsh-language commentary for Wales international soccer matches.

BROADCASTER Sky Sports would not be drawn yesterday on the future of Welsh-language commentary for Wales international soccer matches.

Traditionally Wales matches are broadcast simultaneously on BBC and S4C, with viewers able to choose between English or Welsh commentary.

But there are concerns that the Welsh-language option could disappear when Sky begins televising Wales' matches from September.

One of Wales' language enterprise agencies, Menter Iaith Sir y Fflint, has written to the satellite broadcaster urging Sky to maintain the current linguistic choice.

Co-ordinator Dewi Jones wrote, "The technology is now in place for commentaries in a choice of languages on one channel, and indeed the BBC offer a commentary in either language for Welsh domestic rugby matches.

"I would ask that you consider offering a Welsh commentary soundtrack and an analysis in Welsh of the games.

"Sky have a proud record of innovating when it comes to sports broadcasting and I would hope that your commitment to excellence in the field will lead to an expansion rather than contraction in Welsh-medium provision.

He said that Sky Sports presenter Rhodri Williams was a capable bilingual broadcaster who could advise Sky on Welsh commentary.

"In addition to the 600,000 Welsh speakers counted in Wales at the last census, there are many thousands living in England who receive both S4C and Radio Cymru through their Sky system," added Mr Jones.

A Sky Sports spokesman said it was too early to talk about the detail of the contract signed recently with the Football Association of Wales.

He declined to comment on whether that contract stipulated bilingual coverage.

As part of the deal, Sky will sell rights for secondary transmission of matches to a terrestrial channel.

But even if S4C wins those rights many Welsh speakers would be dissatisfied because they would wish to watch the game live, for which Sky will hold the exclusive rights.